Bell Helicopter has selected Chelton Flight Systems to provide the glass cockpit system for its 407 light single engine helicopter. It could also become responsible for equipment on the 206B JetRanger, 206L LongRanger and the new Bell 210.

“This represents a significant milestone for Chelton,” announced Gordon Pratt, president of Chelton Flight Systems. “While this technology has been FAA certified for years in aircraft ranging from the Bell JetRanger to the Cessna Citation, Bell will be the first OEM to offer this advanced technology

from the factory.”

The Chelton EFIS was developed in conjunction with the FAA’s Capstone programme in Alaska, where the accident rate among commercial operators has been reduced by more than 40 per cent through the use of advanced flight display technology.

The Chelton cockpit will be available from the factory in the first quarter of 2007. Until then, 407, 206 and 210 owners can upgrade through Bell installation facilities.

The EFIS consists of large format portrait or landscape displays and incorporates a number of features, including forward-looking real-time 3D terrain and ‘highway in the sky’ navigation, class B helicopter TAWS and a strap-down AHRS.

The system also offers recursive technology with auto-reversion in the event of a failure and an

engine indication and crew alerting system display.